icemanyeo

Yup, same here! My master's program is highly selective (average 3.8-3.9 GPA / 4.0), but one of my peers had a 3.2 and got in. But they had a great interview experience and demonstrated fit+potential.

Honestly, once you clear the prerequisites, it all comes down to chance factors. Can't infer much from this except that you'll probably get a close look where you apply.

Also definitely take what I and others say with a grain of salt, as ultimately we're also applicants and may have a biased view of the process and everything else. + Get off the forum sometimes. Saying this to myself as well ? but compulsively checking GradCafe is not good for our mental health. If you're in the U.S, get your government-approved 20 min walk if possible (unless you're in a snowy area of course), watch some Netflix, read a book, anything else to get your mind off the cycle.

Exactly! I've seen people in past threads get accepted at Harvard, Princeton, Michigan yet be rejected or waitlisted for Vanderbilt, Rice, Notre Dame, etc.

Concur as well. Honestly my best advice is to let the waves take you wherever they want -- prepare yourself mentally for the worst outcome, but don't count yourself out of a top 10 admission just because you were rejected from a t20-50 school.

I second @timeseries 's advice on this! I've seen past results thread entries where people were admitted off the waitlist, so keep the faith.

I don't think it would be a good idea to rush a February application at this point. If you haven't completed one already, I would recommend applying for master's degrees in Europe (CEU, UK schools, etc.) so you can build up your academic portfolio (research, maybe a publication, conferences, graduate-level LORs) for another cycle. Keep some faith for the remainder of your applications. I'm in the same boat and that's what I'm focusing on right now.

Good luck! I did not end up applying to Kroc, but I've hung out around the program a lot since I was a peace studies major at another school in Indiana. They have really great people and South Bend is an amazing city! Sending all the positive energies you need ❤️

Wise advice.

There's no reason to be so negative in already stressful time for you and other applicants. I hope that whatever reason led you to lash out at people on this forum, things get resolved and end up well.

True, but with COVID anything is fair play, and I think people are just trying to pass the time.

I'm expecting Princeton and Berkeley either Friday or Monday next week. But we might be pleasantly surprised, who knows.

I know I've made a lot of self-deprecating jokes in this thread, but it's still too early to give up hope in the cycle! I know it's hard to do, and I'm trying to follow my own advice here, but don't take rejections personally. Remember -- a rejection is not a verdict on who you are and your accomplishments. There are so many other factors at play, especially during a PANDEMIC(??️ high five to you all for preparing materials and submitting applications during these troubled times)!

Conspiracy Theory: Someone is lurking on the sub and posting fake decisions just so they can rile us up and watch from the sidelines as we panic. ? All jokes aside, this is truly a year like no other, especially for PhD applications, so try not to beat yourself up too much. I'm learning to do that myself as well.

Funny aside: I've been spending some of my time (and theory) analyzing Attack on Titan, if there are any other anime fans on this forum.

I am sitting here, hoping for some Berkeley and Princeton decisions to come out this week.

Done!

Any follow recommendations? Not sure who to be following on this.

Just got the email from Rice to check the application portal. Officially 0a/7p/1r.

Thanks for sharing!

I skipped one day of Animal Crossing and haven't played for like 3 months now lol.

Right now I'm hoping I get a rejection letter through portal, email, something from Rice so I can put my anxiety towards that application to rest.

Yup! And one of the schools I'm feeling optimistic about already told me they're having difficulties funding international students this year due to the pandemic.

I know -- My fear lies with the funding part of the admissions equation for some schools. Getting one acceptance and being unable to attend because of personal budget constraints is my biggest fear at the moment.

At least being pessimistic means I can be happy if I get at least one piece of good news!